Day 1: UK - Amsterdam

Travel to Amsterdam and transfer to the port to embark Spirit of the Rhine, which remains moored here overnight.

Enjoy a welcome reception and dinner on board.

Day 2: Amsterdam

The Dutch capital is rightly popular for its friendly welcome, picturesque canals, world-class museums and galleries and laid-back cafes and bars. This morning you can join one of our Unique Experiences which are designed to give you the chance to get under the skin of a destination by enjoying the local food and culture. After disembarking your ship and meeting your guide, take a tram to Central Station from where you will begin a walking tour of the Dutch capital. Along the way look forward to tasting local delicacies including herring, cheese and croquettes and rounding it off with a sweet treat from a bakery.

Alternatively you could join an included tour of Amsterdam by coach and see the Royal Palace on Dam Square, the floating flower market, the Central Railway Station, which is built on thousands of wooden piles, and the grand 19th-century Rijksmuseum.

Afterwards, enjoy a canal cruise to see the city centre with its pretty bridges and attractive gabled houses up close and view such treasures as the famous Skinny Bridge, the Montelbaanstoren tower and the Jewish Quarter. Spirit of the Rhine sets sail at lunchtime and you will spend the rest of the day and night cruising towards Cologne.

Day 3: Cologne

Arrive at lunchtime in Cologne, Germany's cultural capital.

Enjoy an afternoon of exploring using our state-of-the-art interactive map – don't miss the vast Gothic cathedral, started in 1248 to house the relics of the three Magi but not finally completed until 1880! You can see the magnificent shrine to Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar – now among the patron saints of Cologne – behind the high altar.

Depart later this evening and cruise overnight towards Koblenz.

Day 4: Koblenz to Rüdesheim

Having arrived before breakfast, you can spend the morning in Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle.

Discover the attractive riverside promenade and several historic churches, all set beneath the Festung Ehrenbreitstein citadel on top of the hill, which you might choose to visit on an optional excursion this morning. Later this morning your cruise continues through the UNESCO-listed Middle Rhine to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, passing the fabled Lorelei Rock en route. This evening, perhaps visit one of the 'olde-worlde' taverns in the famed Drosselgasse for a glass of local beer or wine.

Alternatively, join an optional excursion that visits the extraordinary Siegfried's Museum of Mechanical Music or another which features a wine tasting.

Your ship remains moored here overnight.

Day 5: Rüdesheim to Mainz

Before sunrise your ship will sail to Mainz.

Here you can use your interactive map to explore the atmospheric Old Town and famous Gutenberg Museum, dedicated to Johannes Gutenberg. Born in the city he was the inventor of the 'moveable type' printing press, and is known as the 'father of modern printing'. This afternoon, an included excursion visits the home of Germany's oldest university, the city of Heidelberg. Highlights include the Old Bridge across the River Neckar and the ruined castle high above the city. Its rather random appearance is due to it having been added to through different periods of German architectural styles. Virtually destroyed by lightning in 1764 it was cannibalised by locals who used stones from it in their own houses!

Sail overnight for Strasbourg, pausing briefly in Mannheim this evening.

Day 6: Strasbourg

You'll arrive this morning in the beautiful capital of Alsace, with the whole day to discover its cobbled streets, picturesque half-timbered houses and magnificent cathedral. This morning an included city tour and canal cruise will help you get your bearings, then this afternoon you can explore further independently.

Alternatively, you might like to join an excursion to the pretty walled city of Obernai, where you can stroll along the ramparts and admire attractive 13th-century buildings with flower-filled balconies.

Your ship departs for Breisach this evening.

Day 7: Breisach

Arrive in the early hours with a day to explore Breisach, an important medieval town of the Holy Roman Empire during the 16th century.

It's overlooked by a 12th-century cathedral – St Stephansmünster – set high on a hilltop above. It's also known as the 'gateway to the Black Forest' and you'll have the chance to join an optional excursion to picturesque Colmar with its well-preserved old town, and the wine town of Riquewhir. Another optional tour visits Lake Titisee, in the Black Forest for a short cruise and lunch.

Depart later tonight and cruise to Basel.

Day 8: Basel to UK

Disembark Spirit of the Rhine after breakfast and travel to the airport for your return flight to the UK.